Giggle and Grin
ACROSS
1 High-pitched (6)
4 Take a risk (6)
7 Give food (4)
8 Value, assess (4)
10 Slippery fish (3)
11 Expire (3)
12 Rely upon (5)
15 Tall building (5)
16 Revolving component ( (5)
17 The select few (5)
18 Sphere of action (5)
20 Thespian (5)
23 Tendency, fashion (5)
26 Vehicle (3)
27 Part of a circle (3)
28 Undiluted (4)
30 Always (4)
32 Black birds (6)
33 Horse seat (6)
DOWN
1 Natural gift (6)
2 Honey producer (3)
3 Shrub or tree (5)
4 Worries (5)
6 Generate affection (6)
7 Move smoothly (4)
9 Check manuscripts (4)
12 Give therapy to (5)
13 Bring together (5)
14 Pace, walk (5)
18 Bowman (6)
19 Deserve, merit (4)
21 Rip (4)
22 Cooking instructions (6)
24 Ceremonies (5)
25 Requires (5)
29 Optical organ (3)
31 Terminate (3)
Mia's mouth dropped even further open her mother
described to Santa [Mia's uncle] how the two-year-old
was acting. When her mother told Mia that Santa
wanted to talk to her, she reluctantly took the phone.
A Funny Story Of Santa and the Two Sisters
Daisy and her thirteen-year-old sister, Mia, had been
fighting a great deal during the last year. This often can
happen when you combine a strong-willed two-yearold, who is sure she is always right, with a young
adolescent.
Santa, speaking in a deep voice, explained to Mia how
there would be no presents Christmas morning to
children who fought with their sisters. He would be
watching, and he expected things to be better from now
on.
Daisy's parents, trying to take advantage of her
newfound interest in Santa Claus, reminded the twoyear-old that Santa was watching and he was unhappy
when he saw children argue and fight. This had little
impact on little Mia who really didn't understand.
Mia, now even more wide eyed, solemnly nodded to
each of Santa's remarks and silently hung the phone
up when he was done. After a short while, the sister's
mother [trying hard not to laugh at being so clever]
asked Mia, 'What did Santa say to you, darling?'
'I'll just have to tell Santa about your misbehaviour,' the
mother said as she picked up the phone and dialed.
Mia's eyes grew big as her mother asked, 'Mrs.
Claus?' [it was really Daisy and Mia's aunt as Santa's
real line was busy] if she could put Santa on the line.
In almost a whisper, Mia, sadly but matter-of-factly
stated, 'Mummy, Santa said he won't be bringing any
toys to Daisy this year.'
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